Apigenin regulates lipopolysaccharides-induced activation of inflammasome
Wang, L.-Y.; Kuang, J.; Li, J.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 91(34): 2435-2439
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0376-2491 PMID: 22321793 Document Number: 650409
To evaluate whether or not apigenin regulates the activation of inflammasome and elucidate its underlying mechanism. Cultured THP-1 (acute monocytic leukemia cell line) cells were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone (control group), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), LPS plus apigenin (25/50 µmol/L) or LPS plus Z-VAD (a caspase inhibitor). The supernatant was harvested and the content of secreted interleukin (IL)-1β was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of apigenin on the cleavage of pro-IL-1β and pro-caspase-1 were determined by Western blot. And the effect of apigenin on the nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation was detected by reporter gene assay. MTT assays showed that the cytotoxicity of apigenin was low. Apigenin could significantly inhibit the LPS-induced secretion of IL-1β in THP-1 cells. The concentration of IL-1β was (362 ± 64) pg/ml in the control group, (1549 ± 320) pg/ml in the LPS group, (397 ± 150) pg/ml in the LPS plus 25 µmol/L apigenin group and (268 ± 142) pg/ml in the LPS plus 50 µmol/L apigenin group (P < 0.05). The results of Western blot indicated that apigenin inhibited the maturation of pro-IL-1β and pro-caspase-1. It could also inhibit the LPS-induced activation of NF-κB. The value of relative light unit was 0.6 ± 0.1 in the control group, 32.7 ± 0.8 in the LPS group, 12.9 ± 1.8 in the LPS plus 25 µmol/L apigenin group and 10.0 ± 3.2 in the LPS plus 50 µmol/L apigenin group respectively (P < 0.05). Apigenin may inhibit the LPS-induced activation of inflammasome through an inhibited muturation of caspase-1.